Vacation Bible School – 2014.  How we thank and praise God for the delightfully entertaining, thought provoking and Biblical smorgasbord that is the Vacation Bible School.

 The Vacation Bible School is an integral component in the discipling process.  And I must tell you, VBS-2014, using a sports metaphor, hit a homerun.  It was a blessing on so many levels.  The planning and execution for VBS-2014 was outstanding.

 This was a Holy Spirit directed session.  The teaching was superb.  The gifting in our teachers is a blessing to the Kingdom.  As in all things Kingdom, the Word is paramount.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”  (Psalm 119:11).  “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2.  (I trust I’ve made my point).

 It’s the Word, dear people.  What was noteworthy during VBS-2014, in addition to the Word, was the commitment of the volunteers.  I saw people serving in many areas and they were really pleased  to be doing so.  How Christ-like.  “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the interitance:  for ye serve the Lord Christ”  (Col. 3:23-24).  What a blessing for this Pastor.  The people get it!

 As always, the food, the music and the spiritual ambiance were outstanding.  A big “GOD BLESS YOU” goes out to VBS Director, Sister Lynne Bryant and all the wonderful and talented volunteers who made Vacation Bible Class-2014 a Godly learning experience.

 Let us continue in the spirit of VBS-2014.

   Pastor J. Amos Jones

Pastor’s Anniversary.  By definition, “the celebration by church for the leadership of the pastor”.  “The date of an event where the people of the church honor it’s leader”.  The definition is correct, however, it really does not scratch the surface in speaking to what Friendship did for her Pastor.

 I must tell you dear people, you outdid yourselves in anniversary planning and in the execution of those plans.  The entire anniversary experience, Friends of the Pastor Night and the Anniversary proper, exemplified such style and grace.  The embodiment of love, respect and caring.  What a blessing, what a joy devine, what wonderful people.  Everything about the anniversary said “class”.  I am reminded when King David was commanded of the Lord to build an altar in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.  David did not simply expropriate the property for his royal purposes (as he could have done), but David said “I will surely buy it of thee at a price:  Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing”  (2 Samuel 24:18-24).

  It is evident that putting this anniversary celebration together cost someone something.  And for that, this Pastor is extremely grateful.    To the members of the Anniversary Committee, auxiliary leaders and members, members of the official staff, the program participants and most certainly to the dear people involved in food preparation, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, and a big “GOD BLESS YOU”.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

The events of the recent past have not been the most welcome prelude to the Revival and Soul-Saving Campaign-2014 nor Pastor’s Anniversary 41.  What they have revealed is the faithfulness of our heavenly Father. In all things and in every way, God is faithful.  Which in fact describes this Pastor’s forty-one year walk with the Lord.  St. Paul says it so well:  “God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of His son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1^st Cor. 1:9).  He can be trusted to do what He has promised, namely, to “confirm you unto the end” (v.8).

 When the Lord called this Pastor to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, He promised His perpetual presence.  All of you know folks, “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11.b).

 For forty-one years as Pastor of Friendship, the Lord has graciously directed my steps.  From the beginning, the Lord has made it crystal clear that the members of Friendship are His people and are to be treated as such.  Love that is manifested by respect and dignity is the Friendship way. 

 The Apostle Paul has a message for every Pastor and it has been a blessing in my life.  1^st Thess. 5:23, 24:  “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it”.  Who will do it!  What God will do:  “Now may the God of Peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again”.  Praise God for His faithfulness during these forty-one years.  To God be the glory!

Dear members, thank you for your loving care, your compassion, and your constant followship.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones